Infimech TX Print in Place Filament Spool Roller

It all started a few nights ago when I was print something and all of a sudden I heard something strange coming from the direction of the printer, checked the print all good. Went away minding my business and again… what the hell… Stayed near the printer and I caught it in the act, it was the spool. 

Then for 2 days I looked for a spool roller for the machine, there were some options, all with bearing. Being the lazy that I am I printed 2 608s and said “yeah those should work” so then naturally I started think what if I don't use bearing and just print a sleeve over a post and call it so here we are. 

I don't know if it's a good idea to use it or not, but it works, at least compared to the stock one that is fixes. 

For extra strength you should add Internal Solid Infill layer, slice and add them from the top of the nut minus 5 layer and add it for 10 so at the point from where the roller starts printing the post inside will have extra strength (I added a picture from where I placed them on mine). Also make sure to not print it too fast so you will have good layer adhesion. Print with at least 4 walls and 15% infill. I don't know if there are any benefits but I printed with random seams, the reasoning was to not have one long seam that might get stuck on something, have a lot scattered so there will be minimal friction if it gets stuck.

For extra smooth operation it will need greasing. I added a greasing port at the top so you can add some lube (its untested, but it should work …maybe …idk, let me know). I used some cheap silicon oil spray and it spins pretty damn well. Mine doesn't have the greasing port and I wasted 5-10 minutes trying to get the oil in, at that point I decided to add the port so if someone prints its it won't have to go trough that. 

I designed it for 0.6 nozzle (0.3 layer height, 0.65 width) but from a quick slice with a 0.4 profile it should work. (If someone prints it in 0.4 please leave some feedback). After printing it, grab the sleeve (the part where the spool will go) and the nut and twist, it should get freed and spin.

I include the STEP file if someone wants to improve it further or adapt it for another printer. This version is 100mm tall, actual space for spool is 92mm.